PEOPLE living in west Wirral have been given their first chance to look at plans to build a massive windfarm off the coast of the peninsula.

The wind energy company npower renewables set up an exhibition outlining its plans for the 200 turbines which will comprise the Gwynt y Mor offshore wind farm, around 12 miles off the coast of Hoylake.

If given approval the scheme would generate 750 megawatts - enough clean electricity each year to meet the demand of around 500,000 homes. The company operates 15 windfarms in the UK, including North Hoyle offshore windfarm, the first major offshore wind farm to be built in UK waters.

But the proposal has caused outrage among some living in West Wirral who fear it will spoil the views of the Irish Sea.

During the first hour of the exhibition, more than 40 people had passed through the doors of the Kings Gap Hotel in Hoylake where npower renewables had set up the exhibition, showing strong interest from local people.

The organisers said they expected to hear from the full range of opinion, but claimed most comments had been positive, following similar exhibitions in Crosby and North Wales.

Georgia Markwell, project consent manager from npower, said the project was at an early stage and they were still looking at what turbines would be used and it would be next year before a formal application was made.

She said: "We're also looking at the environmental impacts so, when we come to the design, we can take all those into account.

"Some of the information is quite vague because we haven't designed it yet. If it is given approval, it will then take two to three years to build, and it could be 2010 before it becomes fully operational."

Opinion of those at the exhibition was divided, with some in favour of the "clean" energy source. One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "I think windfarms are a good idea. Any way of generating power without burning oil or gas or having nuclear power stations has to be a good thing. But a lot of people in the area are very opposed to the scheme."

Many fear for the views from Hoylake and West Kirby and claim the windfarms do not eliminate the need for more conventional power sources. Bob Smalls, from West Kirby, said: "This area is popular with tourists who like to walk along the promenade and enjoy the sunsets - but how can they do that with hundreds of windmills jutting out of the sea?"

The proposed windfarm would be located further offshore than npower renewables' North Hoyle offshore wind farm, stretching from Prestatyn in the East to Penrhyn Bay in the West, some 13-15 kilometres off the coast of North Wales.

Gwynt y Mor project consents manager Georgia Markwell said the exhibition was intended to provide background information on wind power, to inform local people, and to encourage feedback on the proposal.

She said: "The project is still at the design stage, and the feedback that we receive from our consultations with all interested parties will provide us with valuable information towards finalising the project design.

"The views of local people are an important part of the design process."

The energy company npower renewables anticipates that the application to build and operate the Gwynt y Mor offshore windfarm will be submitted in the second half of 2005.